This article is from Yimi HiFi Rental, real player experiences.
The opinions on the equipment from players do not represent Yimi’s views.
Author: The Silent Sea
The XD-05 is a product launched by Yidu Company a year and a half ago, integrating USB, optical, and coaxial input decoding with a headphone amplifier. According to Yidu’s own introduction, the decoding part of the XD05 can connect to WINDOWS, IOS, and Android systems via USB, supporting a maximum of PCM 32BIT/384KHZ, DSD256, DXD 32BIT/352.8KHZ; the optical and coaxial can connect to various digital audio output ports of players, supporting a maximum of PCM 24BIT/192KHZ.
The headphone output section uses the classic OP+BUF architecture, which can drive most headphones on the market based on the original headphone amplifier chip. Due to the replaceable headphone amplifier story, this can enhance the user’s experience, allowing them to replace the corresponding headphone amplifier chip according to their different preferences to adjust the output of the XD05. The front of the machine has three gain adjustment settings and a BASS boost adjustment; the side has DAC filter settings and SRC settings, making it a versatile device.
Without further ado, the main purpose of my purchase of the XD05 is to use it with my laptop, as I often travel for work. I feel that a laptop paired with a decoding headphone amplifier is more suitable, and the size of the XD05 is appropriate, with comprehensive functions, and its decoding capabilities look quite impressive! Therefore, this review is also conducted using the laptop paired with the XD05 to test, while also seeing if the XD05 can serve well with the already burned-in DT1990.
Equipment: Yidu XD05 decoding headphone amplifier, Beyerdynamic DT1990, laptop
Test music: “Independence Day” original soundtrack, “Furin Kazan – Tsuki Sayo Yoru” original soundtrack
Test purpose: functionality and musicality of XD05
This time, I chose the classic soundtrack of “Independence Day” because this CD is composed by the film music master David Arnold. He perfectly combines electronic music with symphonic music, and the entire soundtrack’s arrangement structure is magnificent, with a grand performance. The extensive use of brass instruments paired with strings presents a challenging task for the entire HIFI system.
Since the entire arrangement of “Independence Day” is performed on the basis of brass instruments through string instruments, the overall dynamic range and transient response requirements are very high, especially the tuning of the instrument’s tone color. The XD05 performs exceptionally well in dynamics and transients; despite its small size, it drives the DT1990 to showcase the tension and explosive power of the entire piece remarkably well, with commendable tone color performance. The only downside is that the layering of instrument positioning is somewhat lacking.
Especially in the 11th track, “The President’s Speech,” the dynamic presentation is stunning, rivaling the control of a desktop system. The music flows smoothly from the beginning, with emotional fluctuations and buildup, leading to a powerful climax explosion, all so seamless. When the energy accumulates to the highest point, it bursts open like Niagara Falls, then transitions rapidly into the next section with a military drum march rhythm, without any dragging. For such a dynamic piece of music, the performance is already quite impressive. The only regret is that the soundstage is evidently not large enough; for such a grand piece of music, it feels a bit cramped, indicating that the original headphone amplifier chip still needs to be replaced.
After listening to such a dynamic piece of music as “Independence Day,” I naturally want to feel the XD05’s performance with individual instruments. This time, I chose a piece from the Japanese composer Akira Senju’s work for the historical drama “Furin Kazan,” performed by the renowned shamisen master Yoshida Hiroki, titled “Furin Kazan – Tsuki Sayo Yoru.” Under the pairing of XD05 and DT1990, the unique tone of the shamisen is displayed. Although it cannot compare with the unique dryness of the shamisen in real life, I prefer this smoother high-frequency experience. The mid-high frequencies are very smooth, without too much abruptness; everything feels so natural, and in a certain segment of the plucking, one can feel the unique resonance of the shamisen’s body and the performer’s finger techniques.
It can be said that the decoding part of the XD05 is indeed impressive. Personally, I feel that the DT1990 paired with the XD05 fits my preferences better, but that may not be the case for everyone.
Finally, for the XD05, a decoding headphone amplifier, I believe it is more suitable for people like me who enjoy working on computers. Connecting it to a computer, wearing headphones, a personal independent HIFI space is formed, allowing me to fully enjoy the inspiration and relaxation that music brings!
Author: The Silent Sea
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